Digital standards Archives | Page 364 of 393

House Committee pushes Google to restore free speech on YouTube

Rep. Jim Jordan, Chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee, has subpoenaed Alphabet, the parent company of Google, demanding documents that show whether YouTube removed content due to requests from the Biden administration.

Jordan has long argued that Big Tech companies, including Google, have collaborated with the US government to suppress conservative speech. He believes that these actions constitute unlawful censorship, with YouTube allegedly playing a role.

This subpoena comes after the Committee’s successful investigation into Meta, which led the company to admit that it had bowed to pressure from the Biden administration, adjusting its content moderation policies and promising to restore free speech on its platforms.

Jordan is now pushing Alphabet to follow Meta’s lead and provide transparency on its own content moderation practices.

Google has responded by stating that its content policies are enforced independently, asserting its commitment to free expression.

However, the company has yet to provide a detailed response to Jordan’s subpoena or the claims of governmental influence. Also, this ongoing investigation signals that the scrutiny of Big Tech’s role in content moderation is far from over.

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Authors challenge Meta’s use of their books in AI training

A lawsuit filed by authors Richard Kadrey, Sarah Silverman, and Ta-Nehisi Coates against Meta has taken a significant step forward as a federal judge has ruled that the case will continue.

The authors allege that Meta used their books to train its Llama AI models without consent, violating their intellectual property rights.

They further claim that Meta intentionally removed copyright management information (CMI) from the works to conceal the alleged infringement.

Meta, however, defends its actions, arguing that the training of AI models qualifies as fair use and that the authors lack standing to sue.

Despite this, the judge allowed the lawsuit to move ahead, acknowledging that the authors’ claims suggest concrete injury, specifically regarding the removal of CMI to hide the use of copyrighted works.

While the lawsuit touches on several legal points, the judge dismissed claims related to the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, stating that there was no evidence of Meta accessing the authors’ computers or servers.

Meta’s defence team has continued to assert that the AI training practices were legally sound, though the ongoing case will likely provide more insight into the company’s stance on copyright.

The ruling adds to the growing list of copyright-related lawsuits involving AI models, including one filed by The New York Times against OpenAI. As the debate around AI and intellectual property rights intensifies, this case could set important precedents.

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NHS looks into Medefer data flaw after security concerns

NHS is investigating allegations that a software flaw at private medical services company Medefer left patient data vulnerable to hacking.

The flaw, discovered in November, affected Medefer’s internal patient record system in the UK, which handles 1,500 NHS referrals monthly.

A software engineer who found the issue believes the vulnerability may have existed for six years, but Medefer denies this claim, stating no data has been compromised.

The engineer discovered that unprotected application programming interfaces (APIs) could have allowed outsiders to access sensitive patient information.

While Medefer has insisted that there is no evidence of any breach, they have commissioned an external security agency to review their systems. The agency confirmed that no breach was found, and the company asserts that the flaw was fixed within 48 hours of being discovered.

Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about the potential risks posed by the flaw, emphasising that a proper investigation should have been conducted immediately.

Medefer reported the issue to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), both of which found no further action necessary. However, experts suggest that a more thorough response could have been beneficial given the sensitive nature of the data involved.

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China expands university enrolment to boost AI talent

China’s top universities are set to expand undergraduate enrolment to develop talent in key strategic fields, particularly AI.

The move follows the rapid rise of AI startup DeepSeek, which has drawn global attention for producing advanced AI models at a fraction of the usual cost.

The company’s success, largely driven by researchers from elite institutions in China, is seen as a major step in Beijing’s efforts to boost its homegrown STEM workforce.

Peking University announced it would add 150 undergraduate spots in 2025 to focus on national strategic needs, particularly in information science, engineering, and clinical medicine.

Renmin University will expand enrolment by over 100 places, aiming to foster innovation in AI. Meanwhile, Shanghai Jiao Tong University plans to add 150 spots dedicated to emerging technologies such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, and new energy.

This expansion aligns with China’s broader strategy to strengthen its education system and technological capabilities. In January, the government introduced a national action plan to enhance education efficiency and innovation by 2035.

Additionally, authorities plan to introduce AI education in primary and secondary schools to nurture digital skills and scientific curiosity from an early age.

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Indonesia approves Apple’s local content certificates

Indonesia has granted local content certificates for 20 Apple products, including the iPhone 16 after the company met requirements for locally-made components.

Apple still needs further approvals from the communications and trade ministries before it can officially sell the devices in the country.

The certification follows Apple’s recent pledge to invest over $300 million in Indonesia, including funding component manufacturing plants and a research and development centre.

Last year, the country had banned iPhone 16 sales due to non-compliance with local content rules.

Industry ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief confirmed that Apple received certificates for 11 phone models and nine tablets.

However, negotiations had been ‘tricky’, according to Indonesia’s industry minister. Apple remains outside the top five smartphone brands in Indonesia, according to research firm Canalyst.

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Reddit launches new tools to improve user engagement

Reddit has introduced new tools to help users follow community rules and track content performance, aiming to boost engagement on the platform. The update comes after a slowdown in user growth due to Google’s algorithm changes, though traffic from the search engine has since recovered.

Among the new features is a ‘rules check’ tool, currently being tested on smartphones, which helps users comply with subreddit guidelines. Additionally, a post-recovery option allows users to repost content in alternative subreddits if their original submission is removed. Reddit will also suggest subreddits based on post content and clarify posting requirements for specific communities.

The company has enhanced its post insights feature, offering detailed engagement metrics to help users refine their content. This follows Reddit’s December launch of Reddit Answers, an AI-powered search tool designed to provide curated summaries of community discussions, which is still in beta testing.

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Zalando challenges EU tech rules, seeks exemption

Zalando, Europe’s leading online fashion retailer, has filed a legal challenge against the European Commission’s classification of the company under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The company argues that, unlike platforms such as Amazon and AliExpress, its business model does not fit into the “very large online platform” (VLOP) category, and it should not face the same stringent regulations.

The DSA, which came into force in 2022, requires VLOPs to take additional measures to manage harmful and illegal content or face significant fines. Zalando’s lawyer, Robert Briske, pointed out that the company operates a hybrid model, offering both its own products and those from third-party partners, making it distinct from other online platforms that purely function as marketplaces.

The European Commission contends that Zalando’s business model is similar to those of Amazon and AliExpress. The Commission’s lawyer, Liane Wildpanner, argued that Zalando is seeking to benefit from the flexibility of a hybrid model without bearing the regulatory burden of platforms like Amazon.

Zalando’s case is supported by Germany’s e-commerce association, BEVH, while other EU bodies, including the European Parliament, have sided with the Commission. The General Court is expected to deliver a ruling in the coming months.

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Microsoft to boost AI investment in South Africa

Microsoft has announced plans to invest an additional 5.4 billion rand (about $296.81 million) by 2027 to enhance its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa.

The investment comes in response to the increasing demand for the company’s Azure services in the region, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of businesses integrating AI technology into their operations.

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, revealed the initiative during an event in Johannesburg, confirming that the company would also fund technical certification exams for 50,000 individuals.

These exams will cover crucial digital skills, including cloud architecture, AI, and cybersecurity, aiming to address the shortage of skilled professionals in high-demand sectors.

The new investment builds on Microsoft’s previous spending of 20.4 billion rand to establish South Africa’s first enterprise-grade data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

These data centres have become essential hubs for handling the computational demands of AI, as local businesses look to adopt AI-driven solutions.

The company’s broader strategy includes a global commitment to invest around $80 billion in 2025 to further develop data centres and deploy AI and cloud-based applications. South Africa, as a growing tech hub, is expected to play a key role in Microsoft’s plans for the future.

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US House subpoenas Alphabet over content moderation

The US House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Alphabet on Thursday, demanding information on its communications with the Biden administration regarding content moderation policies. The committee, led by Republican Jim Jordan, also requested similar communications with external companies and groups.

The subpoena specifically seeks details on discussions about restricting or banning content related to US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, COVID-19, and other conservative topics. Republicans have accused Big Tech companies of suppressing conservative viewpoints, with the Federal Trade Commission warning that coordinating policies or misleading users could breach the law.

Last year, Meta Platforms acknowledged pressure from the Biden administration to censor content, but Alphabet has not publicly distanced itself from similar claims. A Google spokesperson stated the company will demonstrate its independent approach to policy enforcement.

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Malaysia discusses impact of US chip tariffs with companies

Malaysia is engaging with its semiconductor industry to address the potential impact of US tariffs on chips. The US has signalled its intention to impose tariffs of up to 25% on semiconductors, which could significantly affect Malaysia, one of the top exporters of chips to the US Last year, Malaysia shipped $16.2 billion worth of chips, making up nearly 20% of US semiconductor imports.

Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the government is in talks with companies to see if they can absorb the higher costs caused by the tariffs. The discussions are focused on whether consumers or companies will bear the increased expenses. While the government has not yet decided whether it will provide financial support, Malaysia’s strong semiconductor sector, which includes US giants like Intel and GlobalFoundries, remains a critical part of the economy.

Despite concerns over the tariffs, Tengku Zafrul expressed confidence that Malaysia’s data centres would not be affected by new US export restrictions on advanced chips. The country has become a major hub for data centres, attracting investments from companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. The growth of AI-related demand is expected to drive further expansion, and Tengku Zafrul indicated that the sector’s trajectory is strong enough to absorb any new challenges.

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